DUSHANBE. Oct 11 (Interfax-AVN) - Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani has denied the possibility of negotiations with the Taliban for settling the military-political crisis in his country.
The Taliban have cast a stain on their name by crimes against the people, Rabbani said at a Thursday press conference in Dushanbe, replying to an Interfax question.
The legitimate government of Afghanistan and the Northern Alliance have been trying to hold negotiations with the Taliban for years but, unfortunately, the talks appeared to be futile, he said.
Now they should surrender to the international community, because the time for negotiations has passed, Rabbani said.
The Taliban should lay down their arms as soon as possible. That is the only way to solve the Afghan problem within a short period and with minimal casualties, Rabbani noted.
He said they might start negotiations with supporters of the Taliban who had not stained their hands with blood, after restoring peace.
Some Taliban supporters have taken the side of the Northern Alliance, he said.